Liechtenstein

Susan Spano/Los Angeles Times

Liechtenstein is a little German-speaking principality tucked into the Alps between Switzerland and Austria. The Rhine River runs wide and icy-white along the western border, and the prince's cross-timbered castle nestles in an aerie on the mountainside. At seemingly every turn, there are trail heads and bike paths. Pretty, flower-wreathed towns dot the lowlands. A winding road leads east into the mountains, through a tunnel and across meadows to the ski area of Malbun, which attracts outdoorsy families in the summer. -- Susan Spano Read more: Liechtenstein, a principality tucked into the Alps Pictured: A hamlet on the outskirts of Gutenberg Castle near the town of Balzers.

Liechtenstein is a little German-speaking principality tucked into the Alps between Switzerland and Austria. The Rhine River runs wide and icy-white along the western border, and the prince's cross-timbered castle nestles in an aerie on the mountainside. At seemingly every turn, there are trail heads and bike paths. Pretty, flower-wreathed towns dot the lowlands. A winding road leads east into the mountains, through a tunnel and across meadows to the ski area of Malbun, which attracts outdoorsy families in the summer. -- Susan Spano Read more: Liechtenstein, a principality tucked into the Alps Pictured: A hamlet on the outskirts of Gutenberg Castle near the town of Balzers.